Hearing its 3-2 now
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Hearing its 3-2 now
It's been a feature of braga at times thus season. Collapsing after being in a winning position.
Gerrard for once, went for it and got a bit of a response.
How they got out winning, well that's football I guess.
3-2 it finishes according to the flashed score.
Keeps the tie alive and gives more points for the future standings
Not sure how we won that game as we were shite for 70 minutes.
Getting Kamara off should have happened in first half. He is currently brutal.
2 solo goals from skilled players and a wild deflection doesn't make it anything to write home about but, and it's a big one.. Everyone at Ibrox will remember it for a long time, and it might just spur the players on a bit for rest of season.
2 champs league places will be assured now I think.
We were outplayed for most of the game and then the changes were made, probably for the first time the Manager went for it, time will tell.
Talking of youths, I see we have had a great signing in Malcolm Ebiowei, ex Arsenal wonderkid, 16, has signed with rangers. A number of prem teams were after him and plays for Nigeria as well. He was playing with the U18's at Arsenal. He was out of contract.
This is the way a club like ours can have a future. Young exciting players with potential and hence value.
Yup Scotland have moved above the chechs and Cyprus so should have 2 champs league places
Strange night, thought Celtic played well especially in the first half. As for Rangers they were rubbish for about 70 minutes and lucky to be only 2 down, very similar to a game against Marseille a few decades ago totally outplayed for 3/4 of the game but somehow managed to win. That said 2 good goals and one lucky one, hopefully that will change things because we have been very poor since the winter break.
I thought Aribo's goal was fantastic, but he needs to produce that more, especially in league games. Hagi is defo a talented player, and no doubt was keen to impress his dad in the stand, and although he's still only 21 and settling into Scottish football, he needs to show more of those skills in league games and not 'disappear' when things get physical against the 'diddy teams'... But if coached properly, and with a bit of luck, he's destined for great things.
I also thought Kamberi looked good, for the short time he was on in the second half, and could give Rangers a different dimension up front. For me, it's either time to drop Morelos, as his not at it just now, mentally, or, and I personally I would go with this, play two up front (like Celtic have been doing), with him and Morelos, and which might take some of the pressure off of Morelos and help him get back to the form he showed before his injury. I also think there's potentially a good partnership there.
However, having watched some of their games in the group stages,I knew that Braga would be a very dangerous team, and going forward they're better than Porto, but with the very high defensive line they adopt, you'll always get chances against them, particularly if you've got pace in your team, although their goalkeeper is very, very good! It's all set to be a very entertaining night next week in Portugal.
Braga will almost certainly score over there, I feel certain about that, but if Rangers can score an away goal (at least one), I think think they'll go through, but it'll be a topsy-turvy night, full of twists and turns, and for me, whoever scores the first goal will go onto win the game and the tie. Hopefully now, from a Rangers point of view, they'll use the win last night, and euphoria of such an amazing comeback to spur them on in the league. TBH, if that comeback doesn't provide Rangers with the spark that they've been missing, nothing will!
Celtic were fantastic last night in the first half, and pretty much blew Copenhagen away. They missed numerous chances in the first half to put the tie to bed, and could've easily gone in at half time 3-0 up. I think Copenhagen were taken aback by Celtic's attacking intent, and high-press, in an away European fixture and had been expecting Celtic to be more defensive, but that's what I like now away in Europe since Neil Lennon's taken over, as we now look like we can win or at least get a point in those games, whereas under Rodgers that almost never happened... Take note Lenny detractors!;)
However, in the second half it was a different ball game (literally), and after a tactical switch and a boot up the arse from their manager, Copenhagen came out and played like a totally different team, and were much more direct and dangerous. The goal they scored though was due to Celtic's sloppy defending, so they'll need to be much tighter in the return leg if they're to avoid losing an away goal.
The penalty was definitely a penalty. No way did Christie deliberately handle the ball, he was just too close to get out the way, but his arm was certainly in an 'unnatural position', so I knew how the VAR decision would go. What a save though from Forster, and that could be the difference to us progressing or not. I think we'll have to score 2 goals minimum to go through, and with home advantage I'd expect us to do that, but it won't be an easy game.
I would be great to see both Rangers and Celtic go through to the last 16, and if both play to their potential and defend resolutely, then I think there's a good a chance of it happening!:cool:
Marco.
Something not right blokes watching other blokes running about all sweaty
:D
I think the thought of that secretly gives you a chubby...:eyebrows:
Marco.
:eek:
So he will get fat watching footie?
Ah, must be all the pies
"Chubby" = stiffy... Daftee!:D
Marco.
:lol:
Any comments on the games/results today, lads?
Marco.
Same shite, different day
Not really [emoji23]. Think Robin pretty well expressed it.
It's obvious that many of the players don't give a shit.
One reason I don't like giving them big contracts. They play well get the new contract and just put their feet up.
Same can be said for management
So, do you think the title's over now, even if you win both the remaining old firm games?
Kamberi's goal was excellent.
Marco.
I'm still not counting chickens...
But even if you beat us twice (which, yes, could happen, although Celtic losing two games in a row against Rangers hasn't occurred for a very long time), and even if you also win your game in hand, against the same opposition you dropped two points against today, we'd still be three points ahead [with a much superior GD], and of course you'd have to win EVERY game up until the match at Ibrox, in order maintain that points difference...
On our current form, and yours, that seems unlikely, but you never know in football. That remarkable comeback win over Braga should've spurred on your team for today's game, but for me it seems that too many Rangers players have lost heart and, in their heads have given up on the title. They're skilful, no doubt, but not enough have the mental strength and belief to win a title, which for me is the biggest difference just now between the two teams - that and the disparity of strength in depth of the respective squads is starting to show now, more and more.
On top of that, having Morelos off the boil just now and Defoe injured, combined with not enough of your other players taking up the slack, in terms of scoring goals, has been the catalyst for your current slump. However, I also think that Gerrard has to take his share of the blame, as many of his signings have been expensive flops, and (so far) I include Kent in that. £7m? No chance. Ojo? Remind me who he is again... Plus, Davis hasn't influenced games enough in the way he should have, and with Helander out, your defence has been suspect. Goldson also isn't anywhere near Rangers class. A mere pretender.
Here's the thing however... For me, Rangers will NOT move forward and get to where they want to be, in terms of winning the title, not just beating Celtic in head-to-head encounters, until they can match or better Celtic's spending power, as quite simply, that's why our squad has better players and can cope better with injuries and suspensions, without the team dropping points. It was exactly the same, although the roles were reversed, when Rangers won nine-in-row.
So...... IMO, in order to level the playing field in that respect, Rangers need to find an investor (or investors) who are able to inject, say, £50m into the club, and that money needs to be spent WISELY, solely on players who are genuine Rangers class and have a ruthless winning mentality, such as McGregor, who for me, along with Tavernier and Morelos, are the only three players you've got who *truly* deserve to wear a Rangers shirt, and know what that means and can handle the pressure.
But, and it's a big BUT, if Celtic go onto win the title this season, and even if Rangers win the Scottish Cup, and such an investor (or investors) later materialise, would the board *trust* Gerrard to spend that money wisely...? And if not, do they then risk going for another manager, to build again from scratch, with only one season to prevent Celtic from winning 10-in-a-row?:hmm:
Your thoughts please, gentlemen:cool:
Marco.
League, was gone after hearts tbh and I said so.
Celtic have learned their lesson and came back swinging. We sat down and got pissed
Where do Rangers go from here though, Grant, presuming, say, that they only win the Scottish cup this season, or perhaps nowt? Do you agree that, realistically, as I've outlined, they won't catch Celtic until they can match them financially?
For me, that's the root of the problem, just as it was for Celtic in the 90s, when Rangers dominated...So until that happens, Rangers are really just pissing in the wind. Usurping Celtic simply can't be done 'on the cheap'.
Marco.
regroup.. and adjust the group.. they are not that far off in many ways, just strength in depth really. they need a few more players yet and a few to go as well if possible. Good Euro money this year will help. Management team need to get better, quickly too. They need plan B and C.. Not just stick to 433..they are not Liverpool; They dont have the same quality of player that SG himself was, and he needs to realise this.
I agree with all of that, but in terms of the key bit in bold (strength in depth), they're still a LONG way off... If Rangers and Celtic were to reach the Scottish Cup final, you couldn't realistically predict a winner, as Rangers have shown this season that they can not only equal, but better, Celtic in one-off head-to-heads.
However, right now, if things remain the same and you were to predict who was going to win the league any season in the foreseeable future, you'd have to say that Celtic would be strong favourites, not because Rangers couldn't match them for part of a season, or in one-off games, but not over the whole course of a season, simply because their squad just isn't strong enough.
So until that situation is successfully addressed, and crucially as I've mentioned before, you can rhyme off six or seven Rangers players who would walk into Celtic's first team (currently, at best, I could only think of two who'd have any chance), as it was during the Smith and Advocaat eras, things will not change, and Rangers will not get to where they need to be.
As I said, you cannot usurp Celtic 'on the cheap' [i.e. what you've spent so far], as significant for Rangers as that's been, so for me, aside from the correct observations you've made above, *major* financial investment, far in excess of that generated by a run in the Europa league (as in the meantime Celtic won't be standing still, especially whilst pocketing CL money), will be needed to give Rangers a realistic chance of winning titles again.
That's how I see it.
Marco.
up to a point yes, but money doesnt always win out. often does of course, but until rangers find a way to beat the high block consistently it is going to be this way. Man u have spent a fair whack in last few years and are still shoite, so its as much what you do with what you have..ie sheff utd and leicester, although city did spend a fair amount, its not as much as others so far..
Manager is a big thing as his experience isnt as good and he seems a tad inflexible(so far)
The expectations went through the roof as usual after the Celtic game, however back in the real world, it’s clear we don’t have the strength in depth.
If Gerrard has any sense he should give Walter a call and ask how to win in Europe.
As for the financial side of things I don’t see any big changes any time soon.
No, but money well spent (on good players) does! Coupled of course, as you say, by having a talented and experienced manager. Quite simply, that's why Liverpool and Celtic are currently clear at the top of their respective leagues and brushing the opposition aside.
Marco.
But Gerrard's record with Rangers in Europe has been superb, and without doubt his biggest success, so I'm not sure where you're coming from there?:scratch:
Would you agree though that, aside from the financial situation, Rangers have appointed too many inexperienced and untested managers in recent years, instead of going for someone experienced and who knows Scottish football inside out (like a Walter Smith) and that that has been a significant contributory factor in them failing to halt Celtic's dominance?
For me, if, say, Steve Clarke, or someone of his ilk, had been offered (and had accepted) the Rangers job, instead of Gerrard, Rangers would be much closer than they are now to challenging Celtic.
Marco.
He was offered it informally but being from a celtic family didn't want it. Don't think tbh he would take celtic one either tho.
It is what it is and you have to remember many of the better players we have, came because of sg.
It's not a busted flush as many think, but it does need a few sticking plasters.
You correct that his record has been fine so far in Europe this season, Walter Smith took the team to a final playing some of the dullest football. If we play the same as yesterday or the first 65 minutes on Thursday night we could be up for a bit of a hiding.
There is no way Steve Clarke would have gone to Rangers, but Gerrard will attract players that other managers wouldn’t.
Don't gloat
I don't do gloating, mate; just stating the reality. It was exactly the same for us in the 90s, when we nearly went bankrupt and you were winning everything in sight!:)
Marco.
Yoo-hoo!! :wave:
Have you guys been sleeping or something? I thought you'd be on here celebrating Rangers' SUPERB win in Portugal, which had earned them a place in the last 16?:)
VERY WELL DONE to Rangers!! :clapclapclap:
A brilliant result for Scottish football. Let's hope Celtic can join you tomorrow night.
Marco.
Was just reading up on it. Must have been very early kick off.
Getting Katic out of team helped. Think Kamberi did too.
More points too for the Co eff.
Think Celtic should get through OK. Font see them taking it lightly
Saw the first 60 minutes or so but had to out, should have been 3 up by halftime, tactical better performance today as well.
Hopefully Celtic will complete the job tomorrow night
From earlier:
And (way back, discussing possible additions to the Rangers squad):
;)
Anyway, Rangers are to praised for being a credit in Europe to Scottish football. It's almost unfathomable though, how they can beat a team like Braga, home and away, yet lose to Kilmarnock and Hearts!:doh:
It's clearly all down to attitude.
Marco.
As the game progressed I thought we would score at least once although have to admit was a bit concerned with the missed chances, they stuck to the game plan, but you could see the lack of experience at this level up front, Kamberi who is better than I thought he would be although he needs to learn about the offside rule.
Thought Braga played much better last week, but not many teams have beaten them this season.
Of course come the weekend we’ll be shite again.
I agree with the former, but can't see the latter, surely... The players this time *must* get a boost from tonight's result and kick on from here!:)
Marco.
Oh well, we definitely didn't deserve to beat Copenhagen, due to (unlike us) shocking defending... Up to Rangers now to carry the Scottish flag in Europe, and good luck to them:)
Marco.
Thought you would go on and win it after the pen..
Tough losing 2 quick breakaway goals, but one of the risks when chasing game.
Indeed... But we didn't deserve to win tonight, as we didn't play well enough. Four changes to the team (three enforced through injury and suspension) upset the balance of the team too much. However, it was the one suspension (Christie) we missed most!
Hey ho, just one of those nights.
Marco.
Utd won 5 nil. Not often you get a score like that at this level. Fernándes seems to have made a difference.
I'm expecting to get olympiacos or the Turks next round.
Hard lines, and at least they went for it with 2 up
Disappointing night for Celtic, thought they would win after the penalty but Copenhagen are a good side.
I see you've drawn Bayer Leverkusen, in the next round. A hard one, but not insurmountable. The good news is that the location is 'handy', and so there won't be much travelling:)
If you play as well you did against Braga, in Portugal, and show the same determination to win, as you did against the same opposition at Ibrox, but defend better, then there's no reason why you can't reach the quarter finals. I'll certainly be rooting for you!
I was hoping you'd get Man Utd or Wolves, as there's nothing to beat a good 'Battle of Britain', and the chance to get it right up the English!!:D;)
And also to show that our league is much better than they think it is.....
Marco.